Secretary of State Shenna Bellows.

A federal judge in Washington, DC paused a key section of a March 25 Executive Order, which threatened to disenfranhise many eligible voters, including here in Maine.  Today’s court order in League of Women Voters et al v. Trump et al, temporarily paused the section of the order compelling the independent, bipartisan Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to add a requirement for applicants to show documented proof of citizenship before registering to vote.

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows serves on the Standards Board of the EAC and is currently attending the anual meeting of the Standards Board.

“Everyone agrees that only citizens should vote in federal elections.  The executive order is an unworkable and unconstitutional attempt to limiit voting rights.  Many people do not have a passport or access to other documentation proving cititizenship.  The result of this executive order would be to make it harder for Maine women, militlary and overseas voters and rural citizens to vote.

Only Congress and the states can change the election laws and we are glad to see the court uphold that today.  Executive orders cannot change federal voter registration law or Maine election law.  That power and authority lies with the legislative branch.  I will work with my colleagues in Maine and around the country to protect the rights of Maine voters and the security of our elections,” said Secretary Bellows.